Brackets for supporting and aligning wall members for attachment

ABSTRACT

A series of brackets that are inexpensively cut and bent from sheet metal in a stamping process, and are used as an aid in construction projects. The brackets are designed for support and alignment of wall panels; wallboards or lap boards while the same are being positioned for attachment to the structure. These fixtures are configured to align with the support structure, automatically aligning the wall panel, wallboards, or lap boards to be attached, and continuing to support and align the boards during and after attachment. The brackets are inexpensive to manufacture and can remain on the structure, thereby providing continual support and alignment. Ledge portions with bent up outer corner points engage and support the wall members.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to fixtures for supporting large panels, and more particularly for brackets which automatically align themselves when attached to a structure and are used in construction projects to support and align wall panels and wall boards so that they may be attached to the structure with the brackets remaining in place after attachment as added support.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] In the construction of a building large wall boards, such as concrete boards, plywood wall boards, and even overlapping siding boards, typically require at least two people to support and align the wall boards while one or more others nail the wall boards in place. Since labor costs are very high, buildings are made more expensive by requiring a large number of workers.

[0003] Various jigs and fixtures have been used in the prior art for aligning and attaching construction material to vertical sidewalls.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,245, issued Oct. 15, 1996 to Rademacher, shows an apparatus for installing a floating siding wall of lap siding on vertical studs, including a series of specially formed siding locator-retainer members which are fastened to the studs with the siding members situated therein, the siding members not being fastened to the studs directly; and the resulting siding wall.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,499, issued Nov. 14, 1995 to LaPlante, provides a tool for installing siding on a building wall wherein only two formed metal parts are shown which are of utter simplicity and are relatively adjustable one to the other to provide variation in desired exposure to weather of each underlying siding member as determined by the positioning of the parts in assembled relation. A generally J-shaped bracket and an adjustable U-shaped siding support are provided with the support being releasably attached to the bracket with a pair of legs on the support extending through a pair of a series of openings in the bracket. The bracket has a lower hook with a reversibly bent lip which may be inserted into wedged engagement between a building wall and an affixed strip of siding for readily securing the tool in position to enable a leg of the support to provide the only assistance required for a single worker to install an overlying strip of siding.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,127, issued Nov. 19, 1996 to O'Neal, claims a siding attachment system which includes a bracket and a clip for use in securing conventional siding panels to a wall. The bracket comprises a vertical extending web having legs extending rearwardly from a rear surface of the web at upper and lower ends of the web. A shoulder extends forwardly and downwardly from the front surface of the web at the lower end of the web. The shoulder is insertable in a channel formed in a rear surface of conventional siding. The shoulder supports the siding panel but permits the panel to slide longitudinally with respect to the bracket. A plurality of nail holes are uniformly spaced in linear alignment across a top portion of the web along its entire length. Nails or related fasteners may be selectively driven through the nail holes for securing the bracket to a wall. The siding clip generally comprises a rectangular sheet having a height corresponding to the height of the web and having at least one nail hole extending through an upper portion thereof. The clip is positionable against and securable to the bracket after a siding panel has been secured to the bracket such that a nail flange of the panel extends between a lower portion of the clip and a lower portion of the web and is permitted to slide longitudinally therebetween.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,945, issued Mar. 10, 1981 to Paulson, describes a fixture for use in hanging large panels of the type typically found in construction projects, the fixture including an elongated shelf or tray which may be horizontally aligned on the construction project and fastened to vertical studs by nails which are selectively positioned in channels along a vertical side wall of the fixture and in the shape of inverted “T's” or “L's”. After the fixture has been used to align, support and fasten large panels to the vertical structure the fixture may be conveniently removed from its supporting position.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,361, issued Oct. 17, 2000 to Murphy, is for a combination clamp and support bracket for transient support of sheet goods during their alignment and fastening to underlying support structures, like joists and studs. The bracket has either one L-shaped longitudinal end, or at least one offset longitudinal end, or, in an alternate configuration, a pair of one L-shaped longitudinal end and the other an offset longitudinal end. A pattern of bore holes and key slot perforations are arrayed along the bracket longitudinal axis and provide temporarily tacked pivot points and/or ledges for subjacent support of the sheet goods during placements of an abutting edge and permanent fastening. The brackets are handily displaced and ready for reuse in placement of subsequent sheet goods, like dry wall installation.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,291,058, issued Jul. 13, 1999 to Brooker, shows a siding application tool that allows one person to apply sheet siding and sub-siding to a building. A vertical guide plate with slightly bent ends joins a base plate perpendicularly making a shelf onto which sheets of paneling will rest. The tool will be attached temporarily to the bottom corner of fastened sheets to hold the next sheet being applied in position for fastening. The tool will also be used with a spacer to attach the first sheet of paneling in the proper location of the corner of the building.

[0010] The prior art patents primarily provide removable support and alignment brackets and tools requiring more labor to remove the brackets as well as install them and the tools require a laborer to use the tools.

[0011] What is needed is an inexpensive set of brackets which automatically align themselves with an existing structure, such as a foundation or cantilevered beam, and then support and automatically align a wall board for attaching the wall board so that the brackets remain a part of the structure continuing to provide additional support and alignment to the boards in place on the wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a series self-aligning brackets, enabling a worker to install the brackets quickly and easily.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide inexpensive brackets formed from sheet metal which are easy to manufacture and mass produce by being cut and bent in a stamping process.

[0014] A corollary object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive bracket that can remain on the structure requiring only one quick and easy installation and not requiring removal of the brackets.

[0015] One more object of the present invention is to provide a bracket that can remain on the structure thereby giving continual support and alignment after the boards are nailed to the structure.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide a labor saving device. One worker can quickly install a pair of brackets. No extra workers are required to hold and align the wallboard while nailing it the structure, or to remove the brackets after the construction is done.

[0017] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide accurate alignment in construction because the brackets automatically align with the support structure.

[0018] Still one more related object of the present invention is to provide upturned outer bottom corners on the bracket to form gripping points to assist in holding the wall members in place.

[0019] In brief, the supportive alignment brackets are inexpensively formed from sheet metal by being cut and bent in a stamping process. The brackets are configured to align with the support structure automatically when the brackets are nailed to the support structure and to automatically align the wallboards to be attached, supporting and aligning the boards during attachment and remaining in place after the wallboards are attached to the structure. The self-aligning feature of the brackets allows them to be easily nailed to the support structure. These brackets provide a labor saving method due to the fact that a single worker can erect a wall panel, wallboard, or lap board, by nailing a pair of brackets to the existing support structure, or several brackets along the length of the wallboard. The wallboard would rest on brackets and be nailed to the supporting frame structure, automatically aligned for proper placement by the brackets.

[0020] An advantage of the present invention is to provide inexpensive brackets which are easy to manufacture and mass produce.

[0021] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides that are quick and easy to install and not requiring removal of the brackets

[0022] One more advantage of the present invention is in providing brackets that can remain on the structure providing ongoing support and alignment after the boards are nailed to the structure.

[0023] A further advantage of the present invention is in providing a labor saving device. One worker can quickly install a pair of brackets. No extra workers are required to hold and align the wallboard while nailing it the structure, or to remove the brackets after the construction is done.

[0024] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides accurate alignment in construction because brackets automatically align with the support structure.

[0025] Still one more advantage of the present invention is that the upturned corner tips prevent slippage of the wall members on the brackets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] These and other details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:

[0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bracket used to support a concrete wall board aligned with the top of the foundation;

[0028]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 1 shown nailed to the mud plate and supporting a concrete wall board and aligning the wall board with the top of the foundation;

[0029]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a vertically elongated embodiment of the bracket of FIG. 1 used to support a concrete wall board aligned with a one inch overhang below the top of the foundation;

[0030]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 3 shown nailed to the mud plate and supporting a concrete wall board aligned with a one inch overhang below the top of the foundation;

[0031]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bracket used to support a sheet of plywood or wall board aligned with the bottom of a cantilevered floor joist;

[0032]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 5 shown nailed to the cantilevered floor joist in alignment with the bottom of the floor joist and supporting a sheet of plywood or wall board and aligning the wall board with the bottom of the cantilevered floor joist;

[0033]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an elongated bracket used to support a sheet of plywood or wall board aligned with a one inch overhang below the bottom of a cantilevered floor joist;

[0034]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 7 shown nailed to the cantilevered floor joist in alignment with the bottom of the floor joist and supporting a sheet of plywood or wallboard aligned with a one inch overhang below the bottom of the cantilevered floor joist;

[0035]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bracket used to support and align lap board siding;

[0036]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 9 nailed to a wall backing and resting on top of a first lap board to support and align a second lap board with a one inch overlap of the first lap board;

[0037]FIG. 11 is a side elevational view in partial section of the bracket of FIG. 9 nailed to a wall backing and resting on top of a first lap board and supporting and aligning a second lap board with a one inch overlap of the first lap board.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0038] In FIGS. 1-11, a construction support and alignment device comprises a series of brackets 20A-20E for supporting and aligning vertical wall members for attachment to a building support structure. The brackets 20A-20E are cut and bent by a stamping operation from sheet metal to conform to a portion of a support structure 30, 35 or 70 in a building.

[0039] Each bracket 20A-20E has at least one bracket horizontal surface 23, 27, 27A or 29 capable of being aligned with a horizontal surface of the support structure 30, 35, or

[0040] 70. The bracket 20A-20E further comprises at least one bracket vertical surface 24, 24A, 24B, 24C, or 24D extending from the horizontal surface 23, 27, 27A or 29, the bracket vertical surface 24, 24A, 24B, 24C, or 24D capable of being aligned with a vertical surface of the support structure 30, 35 or 70. Each bracket 20A-20E also comprises a means for permanently attaching the bracket 20A-20E to the support structure 30, 35, or 70, the means being a nail 26 driven through a mounting hole 21 or 22.

[0041] Each bracket 20A-20E further comprises at least one protruding ledge portion 25 or 25A extending from the bracket vertical surface 24, 24A, 24B, 24C, or 24D in a fixed relationship with the bracket horizontal surface 23, 27, 27A or 29. Each bracket 20A-20E is used with at least one additional bracket 20A-20E in spaced alignment, and preferably three or more brackets depending on the length and weight of the wallboards. The brackets are automatically aligned with the support structure when they are nailed in so that the ledge portions 25 or 25A will support and align a wall member 50 or 60B to allow the wall member 50 or 60B to be attached to the support structure 30, 35, or 70. The wall member 50 or 60B is in a fixed alignment with the support structure 30, 35, or 70, determined by the position of the ledge 25 or 25A relative to the bracket horizontal surface 23, 27, 27A or 29. Each bracket ledge portion 25 and 25A has the outer corners of the ledge portion bent up into corner points 19 which bite into the wall members placed on the ledge portion and assist in securing and aligning the wall members, especially assisting in preventing slippage of the wall members relative to the ledge portion.

[0042] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the construction support and alignment device, the bracket 20A, has a bracket horizontal surface 23 that extends inwardly from the top of the bracket vertical surface 24 and is capable of resting on top of a mud plate board 30 on a foundation wall 40 with the bracket vertical surface 24 on an outside face of the mud plate board 30. A nail 26 through the hole 21 in the bracket horizontal surface 23 and a nail 26 through the hole 22 in the bracket vertical surface 24 attach the bracket 20A to the mud plate 35 with automatic alignment of the bracket 20A with the mud plate 30 and the foundation wall 40, is seen in FIG. 2. A ledge 25 extends from the bottom of the bracket vertical surface 24 outwardly away from the support structure 30, the ledge 25 aligned with the top of the foundation wall 40 so that the ledge 25 is capable of supporting a wall board 50 which is aligned with the top of the foundation 40, as seen in FIG. 2.

[0043] In FIGS. 3 and 4, the construction support and alignment device, the bracket 20B, has a bracket horizontal surface 23 extending inwardly from the top of the bracket vertical surface 24A which bracket horizontal surface 23 rests on top of a mud plate board 30 on a foundation wall 40 with the bracket vertical surface 24A on an outside face of the mud plate board 30. A nail 26 through the hole 21 in the bracket horizontal surface 23 and a nail 26 through the hole 22 in the bracket vertical surface 24A attach the bracket 20B to the mud plate 35 with automatic alignment of the bracket 20B with the mud plate 30 and the foundation wall 40, as seen in FIG. 4. A ledge 25 extends from the bottom of the bracket vertical surface 24A outwardly away from the support structure, the mud plate 30, the ledge 25 aligned a set distance below the top of the foundation wall 40 so that the ledge 25 is capable of supporting a wall board 50 overhanging the top of the foundation 40 by the set distance, which is preferably one inch, as seen in FIG. 4.

[0044] In FIGS. 5 and 6, the construction support and alignment device, the bracket 20C, has a bracket horizontal surface 27 which comprises a tab on each side of a bracket vertical surface 24B cut from a portion of the rectangular bracket vertical surface 24B and bent backward at a right angle to the bracket vertical surface 24B. The tabs of the bracket horizontal surface 27 are aligned with and contact a bottom surface of a cantilevered floor joist 35 with the bracket vertical surface 24B on an outside face of the cantilevered floor joist 35 when the bracket 20C is attached to the floor joist 35 using a nail 26 through the hole 22 in the bracket vertical surface 24B, as seen in FIG. 6, for automatic alignment of the bracket 20C with the joist 35. In the same bending operation of forming the tabs of the bracket horizontal surface 27, a ledge 25A is formed by a surface contiguous with the tabs of the bracket horizontal surface 27, the ledge 25A extends at a right angle from the bracket vertical surface 24B outwardly, away from the support structure surface 35 in alignment with the bracket horizontal surface 27, so that the ledge 25A is capable of supporting a wall board 50 aligned with the bottom surface of the cantilevered floor joist 35, as seen in FIG. 6.

[0045] In FIGS. 7 and 8, the construction support and alignment device, the bracket 20D, has a bracket horizontal surface 27A which comprises a tab on each side of a bracket vertical surface 24C cut from a portion of the rectangular bracket vertical surface 24C and bent backward at a right angle to the bracket vertical surface 24C. The tabs of the bracket horizontal surface 27A extend inwardly from the top of the bracket vertical surface 24C and align with and contact a bottom surface of a cantilevered floor joist 35 with the bracket vertical surface 24C being on an outside face of the cantilevered floor joist 35, as seen in FIG. 8, the bracket 20D being automatically aligned with the joist 35. A ledge 25 extends from the bracket vertical surface 24C outwardly away from the support structure surface, the joist 35, and below the bracket horizontal surface 27A a set distance, so that the ledge 25 is capable of supporting a wall board 50 overhanging the bottom surface of the cantilevered floor joist 35 by the set distance, which is preferably one inch, as seen in FIG. 8.

[0046] In FIGS. 9-11, the construction support and alignment device, the double-L shaped bracket 20E, has a bracket horizontal surface 29 extending inwardly from the top of a first bracket vertical surface 28 and is capable of aligning with and contacting a top surface of a first lap board 60A with the first bracket vertical surface 28 on an outside face of the first lap board 60A, as seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, with the bracket 20E automatically aligned with the lap board 60A. A ledge 25 extends from the first bracket vertical 28 outwardly away from the support structure surface, the plywood wall 70, and below the bracket horizontal surface 29 a set distance, so that the ledge 25 is capable of supporting a second lap board 60B overhanging the top surface of the first lap board 60A by the set distance, which is preferably one inch, as seen in FIGS. 10 and 11. The bracket 20E further comprises a second bracket vertical surface 24D extending upwardly from an inner edge of the bracket horizontal surface 29 so that the second bracket vertical surface 24D rests against a vertical portion of the support structure, the plywood wall 70, and is capable of being permanently attached thereto with a nail 26 through the hole 22 in the second vertical surface 24D.

[0047] In practice, a single worker would mount the brackets 20A-20E upon the existing supporting structure 30, 35 or 70. The brackets 20A-20E would be attached and automatically aligned by a nail 26 through the nail holes 21 and/or 22 to the supporting structure 30, 35 or 70, with at least two brackets, and preferably three or more brackets depending on the length and weight of the wallboards, aligned and spaced apart to receive the wallboard. The new wallboard 50, wall panel 50 or lap board 60B which needs to be erected would then be placed on the ledge 25 or 25A, which would support and automatically align it. The new wallboard 50, wall panel 50, or lap board 60B could then be nailed into place. Due to the inexpensive method of manufacturing, these brackets 20A-20E could be left in place for a permanent source of support and alignment.

[0048] It is understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A construction support and alignment device for supporting and aligning vertical wall members for attachment, the device comprising: a bracket cut and bent from sheet metal to conform to a portion of a support structure in a building, the bracket having at least one bracket horizontal surface capable of being aligned with a horizontal surface of the support structure, at least one bracket vertical surface extending from the horizontal surface, the bracket vertical surface capable of being aligned with a vertical surface of the support structure, a means for permanently attaching the bracket to the support structure, and at least one protruding ledge portion extending from the bracket vertical surface in a fixed relationship with the bracket horizontal surface so that when the bracket is in use with at least one additional bracket in spaced alignment, the ledge portions being capable of supporting and aligning a wall member to allow the wall member to be attached to the support structure with the wall member in a fixed alignment with the support structure determined by the position of the ledge relative to the bracket horizontal surface.
 2. The construction support device of claim 1 wherein the ledge portion further comprises two outer corners bent upwardly to form gripping points capable of piercing and engaging a bottom of a wall member placed on the ledge portion to prevent movement of the wall member relative to the ledge portion.
 3. The construction support device of claim 2 wherein the means for permanently attaching the bracket comprises at least one surface having an opening therethrough to receive a connecting means through the opening and into a portion of the support structure.
 4. The construction support device of claim 3 wherein the connecting means comprises a nail.
 5. The construction support device of claim 2 wherein the bracket horizontal surface extends inwardly from a top of the bracket vertical surface and is capable of resting on top of a mud plate board on a foundation wall with the bracket vertical surface on an outside face of the mud plate board, and the ledge extends from a bottom of the bracket vertical surface outwardly away from the support structure, the ledge being aligned with a top of the foundation wall so that the ledge is capable of supporting a wall board aligned with the top of the foundation.
 6. The construction support device of claim 2 wherein the bracket horizontal surface extends inwardly from a top of the bracket vertical surface and is capable of resting on top of a mud plate board on a foundation wall with the bracket vertical surface on an outside face of the mud plate board, and the ledge extends from a bottom of the bracket vertical surface outwardly away from the support structure, the ledge being aligned a set distance below a top of the foundation wall so that the ledge is capable of supporting a wall board overhanging the top of the foundation by the set distance.
 7. The construction support device of claim 2 wherein the bracket horizontal surface extends inwardly from a top of the bracket vertical surface and is capable of aligning with and contacting a bottom surface of a cantilevered floor joist with the bracket vertical surface on an outside face of the cantilevered floor joist, and the ledge extends from the bracket vertical outwardly away from the support structure surface in alignment with the bracket horizontal surface, so that the ledge is capable of supporting a wall board aligned with the bottom surface of a cantilevered floor joist.
 8. The construction support device of claim 2 wherein the bracket horizontal surface extends inwardly from a top of the bracket vertical surface and is capable of aligning with and contacting a bottom surface of a cantilevered floor joist with the bracket vertical surface on an outside face of the cantilevered floor joist, and the ledge extends from the bracket vertical outwardly away from the support structure surface below the bracket horizontal surface a set distance, so that the ledge is capable of supporting a wall board overhanging the bottom surface of the cantilevered floor joist by the set distance.
 9. The construction support device of claim 2 wherein the bracket horizontal surface extends inwardly from a top of a first bracket vertical surface and is capable of aligning with and contacting a top surface of a first lap board with the first bracket vertical surface on an outside face of the first lap board, and the ledge extends from the first bracket vertical outwardly away from the support structure surface below the bracket horizontal surface a set distance, so that the ledge is capable of supporting a second lap board overhanging the top surface of the first lap board by the set distance and further comprising a second bracket vertical surface extending upwardly from an inner edge of the bracket horizontal surface so that the second bracket vertical surface rests against a vertical portion of the support structure is capable of being permanently attached thereto. 